It’s a phrase that can refer to anything from taking off your shoes before entering to the playability of a ping pong shot after it bounces off a low ceiling. Umpires and coaches meet at home plate before baseball games to discuss the particular ground rules for that particular field, and playful lists of “house rules” can be found populating many a Pinterest page.

Every house has them, whether they are printed on a piece of decorative wood or are simply known by frequent repetition.

But what are your house rules? And what kind of house rules reflect God’s heart for communities that hope to follow Jesus well?

Scripture speaks frequently to these questions, but Colossians 3 is one of my favorite places to find answers. This month, we will be learning from these beautiful verses as our kids (older than 2nd grade), students, and adults all gather in main worship together for our Family Camp July. We will have lots of fun and games (and food trucks this week!). Along the way, I hope that we will all gain greater insight into God’s heart for these guidelines. After all, we all want to live in a home where we can say–with conviction–that Our House Rules!

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SEE IT // BE IT

(WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE)

DATE: July 2, 2017 House Rules //

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17

ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes
Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out.

SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes

Every house has rules. What kind of house rules reflect God’s heart for communities that hope to follow Jesus well? Scripture speaks frequently to these questions, but Colossians 3 is a great place to find answers. This month, we will be learning from these beautiful verses, and along the way, we will all gain greater insight into God’s heart for these guidelines. After all, we all want to live in a home where we can say with conviction that Our House Rules!

THE MAIN THOUGHT  keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion.

Consider your own House Rules & whether they reflect God’s House Rules.

CHANGE

5 questions to help us GROW or SEE IT

1. Do you ever encounter rules that you don’t understand? *have each person pick one example of this

2. What are your current house rules? (v. 5-11) *have each person pick one house rule

3. How does this show what your house values? *have each person express how these are important to what your family stands for/against

4. What were Paul’s house rules? (v. 12-17) *share four verbs that reflect Paul’s values listed in the passage.

5. What places might God be asking your “house” of family and friends to step into this month? *discuss together ways that your house could cultivate Paul’s house rules in your own context

CHALLENGE

3 exercises to help us GO or BE IT (choose at least 1)

UP (Our relationship with God): Jesus Only

Spend time together talking about how God has emptied out all the fear, guilt and shame from your lives and has filled you up with Himself. So now what does that look like in your everyday lives – letting Jesus overflow out of you, in your words and actions? (v. 17)

IN (Our relationships with each other): Key Relationships

Take a minute to go around the table and have each person speak one word into each person’s life by telling him or her how they see Jesus overflowing in their words and actions. Discuss ways that your family can improve how you reflect God’s house rules. (v. 13-17)

OUT (Our relationship with the world): Agents of Mercy

Take a walk as a family around your neighborhood this week. Ask this one simple question and answer it together as you walk— “How can God use our family to cultivate forgiveness, show love, walk in gratitude, and let Scripture shape our words as we bless our neighbors?